Person Page - 264

     Giuseppe Camilleri was born on 3 June 1872 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport ae 47, public weigher on 22 January 1920. Declared destination was USA.¹

     Carmelo Camilleri was born in February 1897 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport age 23, laborer on 16 April 1920. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.¹

     John Pace was also known as John Pass. John Pace was also known as Giovanni Pace. Research: Liberty Bell:
Two local founders, John Pass and John Stow, offered to recast the bell. Though they were inexperienced in bell casting, Pass had headed the Mount Holly Iron Foundry in neighboring New Jersey and came from Malta, which had a tradition of bell casting. Govina Pace changed his name to John Pass. He was from Malta. Stow, on the other hand, was only four years out of his apprenticeship as a brass founder. At Stow's foundry on Second Street, the bell was broken into small pieces, melted down, and cast into a new bell. The two founders decided that the metal was too brittle, and augmented the bell metal by about ten percent, using copper. The bell was ready in March 1753, and Norris reported that the lettering (which included the founders' names and the year) was even clearer on the new bell than on the old.

John Pace (Pass) & The Liberty Bell


TRIQ JOHN PACE, BORMLA, MALTA/ JOHN PACE STREET, COSPICUA, MALTA

In Bormla (Cospicua) there is a street which is dedicated to John (Giovanni) Pace - Bell Founder. As a son of Bormla and one of the best bell founders on the island of Malta, I am sure that Giovanni could never have imagined that later on in life he would become a Maltese American, anglicise his name & surname from ‘Giovanni Pace’ to ‘John Pass’ and stamp his surname on one of the most important symbols in America – The Liberty Bell. The international Cospicuans Foundation The Liberty Bell, also known as the ‘Independence Bell’ and the ‘Old Yankee's Bell’ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War. According to tradition, on the 7 July 1776 it was rung to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was later adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol of the abolitionist movement.

The Liberty Bell inscriptions:

Across the top is the inscription: "PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X." This is a quote from the Old Testament of the Bible, Leviticus chapter 25, verse 10. Under this reads, "BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA [sic] FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILADA". Lower on the bell are the inscriptions, "PASS AND STOW", the last names of the founders who cast the bell (John Pass and John Stow). Beneath this is "PHILADA," short for Philadelphia.

The lowest inscription is the Roman numerals MDCCLIII (1753), the year the bell was re-cast. The bell was originally called the State House Bell or the Province Bell. The bell was first called the Liberty Bell around 1839 by abolitionist (anti-slavery) publications.

Who are Pass and Stow?

Very little is known about the Philadelphia founders, John Pass and John Stow. When the bell cracked on its first ringing, Pass and Stow offered to recast the bell. According to the State House Superintendent, the men were judged as "ingenious workmen" capable of the task.

John Stow advertised himself as a brass founder offering items for sale ranging from bell-metal skillets to various brass works. He was born in Philadelphia on February 2, 1727, the second son of Charles and Rebecca Stow. Little is known of his personal life except that was a charter member of the Union Library Company. He died in March, 1754, the year following the final casting of the Liberty Bell.

John Pass was a native of the British possession of Malta and may have served as an apprentice bell founder there. Pass later owned Mt. Holly Iron Furnace before arriving in Philadelphia.

(Source: Paige, John C., "The Liberty Bell of Independence National Historical Park: A Special History Study," National Park Service, p. 10-11.) in 1753. First Maltese in America (?) was among the first Maltese in San Francisco, CA One of first Maltese in USA; born pre 1752: cast the Liberty Bell in 1776. Research: PASS CHRONOLOGY by Bill Ward

No claim is made that the persons listed in the following are related to each other, but are listed solely to indicate their presence at the location and time cited, to assist in research of the ancestors and descendants of John PASS whose name appears on the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, PA

DATE: EVENT:

1653 Thomas PASS arrived in Virginia.
1665 Robert PASS arrived in Virginia.
1700 John PASS arrived in New Kent, Virginia, imported by Robert NASH
1734 Samuel PASS sentenced at Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, during Lent. Transported same year to America.
1735 John PASS was one of many who signed petition to Governor of PA for construction of new road from their area to Phila.
Nov 21, 1745 Robert Wakely assigns Byron Campbell (a servant from Ireland in the Snow George) to John PASS of Phila. for four years from Sept. 22nd 1745. Consideration, 15 pounds; customary dues.
Sep 4, 1746 Advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. that "Roger Meddin, Irish servant lad - runaway from John PASS of Mount Holley, Burl. Co., NJ.
June 4, 1747 Advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. George Gardener who lately worked for John PASS at his iron works in Mount Holly had deserted from William SHirley's Regiment and a reward would be paid for their return.
Nov 5, 1747 John Ab Denormany renders a verbal trust or agreement with Peter Bard, Evan Morgan and John PASS re: property for the Mount Holly iron works in Burlington Co., NJ.
Mar 8, 1748 advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. for colliers seeking work to apply to John Ab Denormandy, at Bristol, Henry Mitchell at Mount Holly iron works or to Peter Bard, John PASS or Evan Morgan in Philadelphia.
1748 John Stow first advertised himself as brass founder in Phila., offerring for sale itmes ranging from bell-metal skillets to brass works for sugar mills, all small items. He died in March, 1754.
Aug. 3, 1749 Advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. for John STOW in Third St, brass founder's items for sale.
Jul 17, 1751 John PASS married Judith SMITH on or after this date in PA. At this time there was evidence of a William SMITH , who was a brassfounder, living in the City of Bristol, Phila. Co. His shop was on Sassafras Street, parallel to Mulberry, and very close to 2nd Street where the Sign of the Three Bells was located.
Mar 17, 1752 Advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. that John STOW moved from Third St. to the Sign of the Three Bells in Second St.
Oct. 1752 Liberty bell cracked when it was tested in Phila.
Jan 30, 1753 Advertisement in Franklin's Gazette, Phila. that "a mare and a horse had been taken from John PASS" door, reward if brought to Joseph Wills, clockmaker, in Third Street.
Mar 10, 1753 John PASS and John Stow were contacted and contracted to recast the Liberty Bell, apparently by Isaac Norris. Research: William Ward:
I have been working on this puzzle for several years now, even to the point of securing the services of a professional genealogist in Philadelphia to scour the records there and in surround communities. Since I found evidence that John PASS was part owner in the Mount Holly Iron Works in New Jersey, my search included that area. Documents in Philadelphis show that John married, but there is no record of any children of this union. Several years ago I encountered a descendant of John STOW, partner of John PASS, who said she had records of their children, so I haven't given up hope. Undortunately I never heard from that lady again because my hard drive crashed and I lost all the documentation, including her email address, name, etc.
About 2 years ago, Kenneth PASS, a son of Loel PASSE (changed spelling himself), contacted me claiming to have an original copy of a document allegedly given to him by his father, which was a note from the captain of the ship on which the Bell was transported from England to Philadelphia. He made the newspapers in Orange County, CA with the claim, but "lost" the document and could only provide a copy which was possibly a forgery, possibly a valid document.
Bottom line is that John PASS, according to the Ministry in Malta, apprenticed there in the brass foundry and then went to the Colonies. He supposedly had 3 brothers, 2 of which went to the Colonies and 1 of wich went to Canada while John was in Malta. It this is true, then the most likely men who might have been his brothers were any 2 of the following men: William PASS, b. before 1735
Thomas PASS, b. between 1731-1735
Nathaniel PASS (1734-1816). All of these men's descendants are found in the early years in VA and NC, then disperse all over the South for the next several decades.
Feel free to contact me privately for further discussion on this subject.
Bill Ward, spencer4488@sbcglobal.net in 2005. Research: Liberty Bell:
Two local founders, John Pass and John Stow, offered to recast the bell. Though they were inexperienced in bell casting, Pass had headed the Mount Holly Iron Foundry in neighboring New Jersey and came from Malta, which had a tradition of bell casting. Govina Pace changed his name to John Pass. He was from Malta. Stow, on the other hand, was only four years out of his apprenticeship as a brass founder. At Stow's foundry on Second Street, the bell was broken into small pieces, melted down, and cast into a new bell. The two founders decided that the metal was too brittle, and augmented the bell metal by about ten percent, using copper. The bell was ready in March 1753, and Norris reported that the lettering (which included the founders' names and the year) was even clearer on the new bell than on the old.

John Pace (Pass) & The Liberty Bell


TRIQ JOHN PACE, BORMLA, MALTA/ JOHN PACE STREET, COSPICUA, MALTA

In Bormla (Cospicua) there is a street which is dedicated to John (Giovanni) Pace - Bell Founder. As a son of Bormla and one of the best bell founders on the island of Malta, I am sure that Giovanni could never have imagined that later on in life he would become a Maltese American, anglicise his name & surname from ‘Giovanni Pace’ to ‘John Pass’ and stamp his surname on one of the most important symbols in America – The Liberty Bell. The international Cospicuans Foundation The Liberty Bell, also known as the ‘Independence Bell’ and the ‘Old Yankee's Bell’ in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is one of the most prominent symbols of the American Revolutionary War. According to tradition, on the 7 July 1776 it was rung to summon citizens of Philadelphia for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. It was later adopted by the American Anti-Slavery Society as a symbol of the abolitionist movement.

The Liberty Bell inscriptions:

Across the top is the inscription: "PROCLAIM LIBERTY THROUGHOUT ALL THE LAND UNTO ALL THE INHABITANTS THEREOF LEV. XXV X." This is a quote from the Old Testament of the Bible, Leviticus chapter 25, verse 10. Under this reads, "BY ORDER OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE PROVINCE OF PENSYLVANIA [sic] FOR THE STATE HOUSE IN PHILADA". Lower on the bell are the inscriptions, "PASS AND STOW", the last names of the founders who cast the bell (John Pass and John Stow). Beneath this is "PHILADA," short for Philadelphia.

The lowest inscription is the Roman numerals MDCCLIII (1753), the year the bell was re-cast. The bell was originally called the State House Bell or the Province Bell. The bell was first called the Liberty Bell around 1839 by abolitionist (anti-slavery) publications.

     Vincenzo Camilleri was born on 14 July 1880 in Qormi, Malta.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport age 32, laborer on 7 June 1912. Declared destination was Australia.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport age 36, laborer; Prev passport #851 dated 7 June 1912 for Australia. Rev Paul Anth Bezzina OMC Valletta on 21 July 1916. Declared destination was Australia.¹ He was issued a Maltese Passport age 39, laborer on 22 June 1920. Declared destination was USA.¹
     He and Vincent Camilleri were possibly the same person.

     Angelo Camilleri died before 1912.

     Giuseppe Casha died before 1913.¹

     Joseph Catania was born on 28 May 1901 in Mosta, Malta.¹ He married Antonia Bellia, daughter of Carmelo Bellia.¹ Joseph Catania was issued a Maltese Passport age 22, housekeeper; he, age 19, laborer on 11 June 1920. Declared destination was San Francisco, CA, USA.¹ He died on 19 February 1931 at San Francisco, CA, USA, at age 29.
     Joseph Catania was also known as Giuseppe Catania.¹
Obituary: on 20 February 1931: CATANIA In this city, Feb. 19. Joseph, beloved husband of Antonla Catania, loving brother of Mrs. George Galea of San Bruno, a native of Malta.

     Vincent Tortell was born in 1822 in Malta; age 27 in 1860 census; age "53" in 1870 census; GS gives 1822.¹ He married Margaret Gibbs.¹ Vincent Tortell died on 1 July 1874 at CA, USA; age 52 by suicide (pistol.) He was buried at Sacramento City Cemetery, Sacramento, CA, USA.
     As of 1860, Vincent Tortell was also known as Vincent Fartell. He and Margaret Gibbs were listed in the 1860 US Census age 27, poultryman at Sacramento, CA, USA.² Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs were listed in the 1870 US census age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property at Sacramento, CA, USA.¹

     Margaret Gibbs was born in 1836 in MO, USA; age 19, AR, in 1860 census; age 29, MO, in 1870 census; GS 1836; Mortuary: IL.¹ She married Vincent Tortell.¹ Margaret Gibbs died on 4 September 1871 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 35. She was buried at Sacramento City Cemetery, Sacramento, CA, USA.
     Her married name was Tortell.¹ She and Vincent Tortell were listed in the 1860 US Census age 27, poultryman at Sacramento, CA, USA.² Margaret Gibbs and Vincent Tortell were listed in the 1870 US census age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property at Sacramento, CA, USA.¹

     Margaret Tortell was born in 1858 in CA, USA; age 1 in 1860 census; age 11 in 1870 census.¹ She married Francis M. Millsaps. Margaret Tortell died on 3 October 1911 at Chrome, Glenn Co., CA, USA.
     She was listed in the census of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs in 1860 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 27, poultryman.² As of 1870, Margaret Tortell was also known as Maggie Tortell.¹ She was listed in the census of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs in 1870 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property.¹ Her married name was Millsaps. Margaret Tortell was Children+ Robert age 17, Addie 13 and Guy 10 in 1911.
Obituary: : At Chromeville, Glenn County, California, on September 30, 1911, Mrs. Maggie Millsap, beloved wife of Frank Millsap, at the age of 52 years. She leaves to mourn her loss, the husband and three children, two boys and one girl, Robert age 17, Addie 13 and Guy 10. Deceased had been in poor health for a year and a half but was able to attend to her household duties till about two weeks ago when she became seriously sick and continued to grow worse till death ended her sufferings.
She was laid to rest in the family burial platt [sic] at Chromeville [sic]. The Family [sic] have lived in the Sacramento [sic] for many years. –.

     William Tortell was born on 19 March 1861 in CA, USA; age 5 in 1870 census.¹ He died on 3 July 1915 at age 54. He was buried at Redding Memorial Park, Redding, CA, USA.
     He was listed in the census of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs in 1870 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property.¹

     Susie Tortell was born circa 1867 in CA, USA; age 3 in 1870 census.¹
     She was listed in the census of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs in 1870 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property.¹

     Vincent Tortell was born on 21 May 1870 in CA, USA; age 1 in 1870 census.¹ He was buried at Redding Memorial Park, Redding, Shasta Co., CA, USA. He died on 5 February 1942 at Shasta Co., CA, USA, at age 71.
     He was listed in the census of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs in 1870 at Sacramento, CA, USA; age 53, game dealer, $200 personal property.¹ Research: Vincent gives IL and Portugal as birthplaces of his father Vincent in 2 censuses.

     Francis M. Millsaps was born in 1858. He married Margaret Tortell, daughter of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs. Francis M. Millsaps died in 1930.

     Elizabeth Tortell was born on 1 November 1870 in CA, USA; GS date 1872. She married William Day Beebe on 23 November 1897 at Shasta Co., CA, USA. Elizabeth Tortell died on 28 January 1947 at Alameda Co., CA, USA, at age 76. She was buried at Redding Memorial Park, Redding, CA, USA.
     As of 23 November 1897,her married name was Beebe. She was listed in the 1910 US Census 1910 Delta, Shasta, CA
William D. Beebe 36 CA smelter
Elizabeth Beebe 37 CA wife, married 12 years. 3 children, all living
Oscar P. Beebe 11 CA son
Mabel A. Beebe 10 CA daughter
Vincent D. Beebe 6 CA son in Delta, Shasta Co., CA, USA.

     William Day Beebe married Elizabeth Tortell, daughter of Vincent Tortell and Margaret Gibbs, on 23 November 1897 at Shasta Co., CA, USA.

     Nicola Paola Cauchi was born on 7 February 1871 in Malta. He married Michelina Camilleri.¹
     Research: Related to Paul Cauchi: Anna Cauchi; Per Joe Cauchi obit, Mary Pace, Joseph Cauchi, Anna Vella are sybs; Per Mary Cauchi obit, Emanuel Cauchi, Mrs. Carmella Gatt. Mrs. Annetta Velia and Mrs. Concetta Tanti are sybs.

     Evelina Cefai was born on 10 April 1902 in Senglea, Malta. She was issued a Maltese Passport age 23 on 5 August 1925. Declared destination was USA.

     Pino Chetcuti married (?) Vella.¹